What do you think?
Rate this book
The Author Life: A Collection of Essays on Craft, Marketing, and Mindset
Craft, marketing, and mindset are the cornerstones of the successful writer.In this collection of short essays, J. Thorn explores strategies that help transform struggling writers into career authors. Each article provides a glimpse into the author life, covering all aspects of living as an independent author and publisher.Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this collection will guide you along the path to publication in J. Thorn’s authentic and unique voice.
- GenresNonfiction
178 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2020
6 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
J. Thorn
170 books171 followersWant a story that’s rooted in a fundamental aspect of being human?
I believe reading dark fiction can be healing. My overriding mission is to connect with you through my art, and I hope to inspire you to do the same. I’m a word architect and driven visionary. I’m obsessed with heavy metal, horror films and technology. And I admire strong people who are not afraid to speak their mind.
I grew up in an Irish Catholic, working class family and was the first to go to college. I didn’t have expensive toys, so I used my own imagination for entertainment. And then I abused alcohol for entertainment. I spent the first thirty years of my life convincing myself I wasn’t an addict and the last ten worrying about all the potential threats the substances hid from me.
Anxiety and depression are always hiding in the corner, waiting to jump me when I start to feel happiness.
I had to break through family programming and accept the role of the black sheep. In my 30s I started writing horror and formed a heavy metal band while my family rolled their eyes, sighed and waited for the “phase” to end.
I spent years paralyzing myself with self-loathing and criticism, keeping my creativity smothered and hidden from the rest of the world. I worked a job I hated because that’s what Irish Catholic fathers do. They don’t express themselves, they pay the damn mortgage. I may have left my guilt and faith behind long ago, but the scars remain.
My creativity is my release, my therapy and my place to work through it all. I haven’t had a drink in a long time, but the anxiety and depression are always lurking. Writing novels and songs keeps it at bay. I scream over anxiety with my microphone and I turn my guitar up loud enough to drown out the whispers of self-doubt.
I hope to leave a legacy of art that will continue to entertain and enrich lives long after I’m gone. I want others to see that you don’t have to conform to the mainstream to be fulfilled.
Don’t be afraid of the dark. Embrace it.
Experience:
By the end of 2014, J. Thorn will have published over one million words and sold over 100,000 ebooks, worldwide.
J. Thorn is a Top 100 Most Popular Author in Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy (Amazon Author Rank). In March of 2014 Thorn held the #5 position in Horror with his childhood idols Dean Koontz and Stephen King at #4 and #2 respectively. He is an official, active member of the Horror Writers Association and a member of the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers. J. is a contributor to disinformation.com and a staff writer for HeavyPlanet.net as well as a founding board member of the Author Marketing Institute.
Thorn earned a B.A. in American History from the University of Pittsburgh and a M.A. from Duquesne University. He has spent the last twenty years researching mysticism and the occult in colonial American history.
I believe reading dark fiction can be healing. My overriding mission is to connect with you through my art, and I hope to inspire you to do the same. I’m a word architect and driven visionary. I’m obsessed with heavy metal, horror films and technology. And I admire strong people who are not afraid to speak their mind.
I grew up in an Irish Catholic, working class family and was the first to go to college. I didn’t have expensive toys, so I used my own imagination for entertainment. And then I abused alcohol for entertainment. I spent the first thirty years of my life convincing myself I wasn’t an addict and the last ten worrying about all the potential threats the substances hid from me.
Anxiety and depression are always hiding in the corner, waiting to jump me when I start to feel happiness.
I had to break through family programming and accept the role of the black sheep. In my 30s I started writing horror and formed a heavy metal band while my family rolled their eyes, sighed and waited for the “phase” to end.
I spent years paralyzing myself with self-loathing and criticism, keeping my creativity smothered and hidden from the rest of the world. I worked a job I hated because that’s what Irish Catholic fathers do. They don’t express themselves, they pay the damn mortgage. I may have left my guilt and faith behind long ago, but the scars remain.
My creativity is my release, my therapy and my place to work through it all. I haven’t had a drink in a long time, but the anxiety and depression are always lurking. Writing novels and songs keeps it at bay. I scream over anxiety with my microphone and I turn my guitar up loud enough to drown out the whispers of self-doubt.
I hope to leave a legacy of art that will continue to entertain and enrich lives long after I’m gone. I want others to see that you don’t have to conform to the mainstream to be fulfilled.
Don’t be afraid of the dark. Embrace it.
Experience:
By the end of 2014, J. Thorn will have published over one million words and sold over 100,000 ebooks, worldwide.
J. Thorn is a Top 100 Most Popular Author in Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy (Amazon Author Rank). In March of 2014 Thorn held the #5 position in Horror with his childhood idols Dean Koontz and Stephen King at #4 and #2 respectively. He is an official, active member of the Horror Writers Association and a member of the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers. J. is a contributor to disinformation.com and a staff writer for HeavyPlanet.net as well as a founding board member of the Author Marketing Institute.
Thorn earned a B.A. in American History from the University of Pittsburgh and a M.A. from Duquesne University. He has spent the last twenty years researching mysticism and the occult in colonial American history.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 7, 2020
I received this copy of The Author Life: A Collection of Essays on Craft, Marketing and Mindset from J Thorn as an Advanced Review Copy. Thorn is one of the best, if not the best, cross genre writers that I’ve ever had the pleasure to know, read and review. No matter what he writes, whether it be fiction or nonfiction, it’s a work worthy of being on the bestseller lists. This book is a collection of posts he wrote and posted to his blog from January to December 2019. If I had to pick a book by a well know author to compare this book with, it would be On Writing by Stephen King. Perhaps Thorn is not a household name like Stephen King, but he is every bit as talented.
What makes this collection of essays unique, what makes Thorn’s style of writing unique, is that he shares his foibles and his fortes with his readers. Every writer is quick to draw attention to their fortes, their strong suits, but few are willing to share his or her weaknesses the way Thorn does. By doing so he is saying look at me, I’m not perfect, I have faults; I have weaknesses just like you. That makes his writing accessible. It makes the reader willing to believe what he writes and gives them the desire to try what he is telling them to apply to their writing life.
Towards the end, he introduces the reader to The Author Mastermind Group and how every author can benefit from being a member of one.. Thorn has a vested interest in Author Mastermind Groups because they played a big role in his personal development as a writer. Today he not only joins those groups as a member but also leads groups of his own. He places such importance on those groups he has written a complete book about them, Secret Powers of the Author’s Mastermind: How to Transform From Struggling Writer to Career Author. Both books are books that every writer needs to have in their library.
What makes this collection of essays unique, what makes Thorn’s style of writing unique, is that he shares his foibles and his fortes with his readers. Every writer is quick to draw attention to their fortes, their strong suits, but few are willing to share his or her weaknesses the way Thorn does. By doing so he is saying look at me, I’m not perfect, I have faults; I have weaknesses just like you. That makes his writing accessible. It makes the reader willing to believe what he writes and gives them the desire to try what he is telling them to apply to their writing life.
Towards the end, he introduces the reader to The Author Mastermind Group and how every author can benefit from being a member of one.. Thorn has a vested interest in Author Mastermind Groups because they played a big role in his personal development as a writer. Today he not only joins those groups as a member but also leads groups of his own. He places such importance on those groups he has written a complete book about them, Secret Powers of the Author’s Mastermind: How to Transform From Struggling Writer to Career Author. Both books are books that every writer needs to have in their library.
February 7, 2020
This collectuon of essays on the creative life cover such a range of ideas they'll each need to be revisited for further consideration.
April 30, 2020
Like any collection of writing, there are definitely highs and lows. Most of the content is very good, insightful, and helpful to other authors. The point of view on every piece is clear in each piece and, if I had one complaint, it would be that the overall presentation felt a bit scattered. Each essay is literally a standalone thing, a separate thought, and the book is strung together with just one after the other. I would almost recommend reading this book in pieces rather than straight through, because reading one essay after another over a short period of time gave it a very choppy, uneven feel, even as the content of each essay itself was solid.
What I particularly appreciated was that the author really tackled a number of different aspects of an author's life. It wasn't just about creativity, or business, or inspiration... the essays really touched on all the elements of an author's day to day. I would have loved a little more structure to it, but it was otherwise a solid set of essays.
What I particularly appreciated was that the author really tackled a number of different aspects of an author's life. It wasn't just about creativity, or business, or inspiration... the essays really touched on all the elements of an author's day to day. I would have loved a little more structure to it, but it was otherwise a solid set of essays.
April 29, 2020
As a devoted and longtime fan of J Thorn, I was thrilled to have this book in my grabby little hands. What an absolutely amazing piece of work.
Some of the essays tickled parts of my memory in a way that told me I’d read the words before. I read everything he writes, so no surprise there. But having his wise words wash over me again was even more powerful than the first time.
Most of it felt new. Eye-opening, heart-opening, soulful, and true. The way he describes being an author and being a human makes me want to do better at both.
I feel grateful to have J Thorn as both a peer and a guide. This collection of his years of experience and clear focus brings the lucky reader an ample dose of all the guidance, inspiration, and truth-telling you can handle.
Some of the essays tickled parts of my memory in a way that told me I’d read the words before. I read everything he writes, so no surprise there. But having his wise words wash over me again was even more powerful than the first time.
Most of it felt new. Eye-opening, heart-opening, soulful, and true. The way he describes being an author and being a human makes me want to do better at both.
I feel grateful to have J Thorn as both a peer and a guide. This collection of his years of experience and clear focus brings the lucky reader an ample dose of all the guidance, inspiration, and truth-telling you can handle.
April 17, 2020
If you've ever undertaken a creative project, you know that a lot of it is in your mind. Resistance, procrastination, fear of failure, fear of success - all these things are arrayed against the creative as they endeavour to produce something, whether that be something you're hoping to sell or just something you're making for your own pleasure. To live the Author Life is to do battle with these forces every day.
If you're looking for granular advice on craft or publishing tactics, then this is not the book you need. There isn't so much as a 'cut your adverbs' here and certainly no rumination on the merits of 'KU vs Wide'. It's a collection of thoughtful snapshots into the life of someone who is living the 'Author Life', ie creating consistently, and doing everything it entails to keep that consistent creation happening. It touches on craft and marketing, because those things are a large part of the author life, but the emphasis here is definitely on mindset, on how you can keep winning the every day battle without burning out.
Like all self help books, your mileage may vary. I find myself quite aligned with Thorn's views on minimalism and mind and body health, so a lot of this resonated with me. But even where views don't align - I am a big goal setter, Thorn is not - there's value in seeing how someone else does something and trying it on for size. If you never step outside of your comfort zone, never consider that there might be a different, better way, then how do you develop as a person and as a creative?
Because it's a collection of essays, it doesn't really contain a coherent narrative thread. Unlike a lot of books in the self development genre, it doesn't seek to make an overall point. But in a sense that is the point, as Thorn himself states in the very first essay - there is no one way to be a writer. You just have to be conscious of your approach to the Author Life and live it consciously, which each of these essays, in different ways, encourages us to do.
A book I will dip in to from time to time as the need for a bit of a mental boost arises.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
If you're looking for granular advice on craft or publishing tactics, then this is not the book you need. There isn't so much as a 'cut your adverbs' here and certainly no rumination on the merits of 'KU vs Wide'. It's a collection of thoughtful snapshots into the life of someone who is living the 'Author Life', ie creating consistently, and doing everything it entails to keep that consistent creation happening. It touches on craft and marketing, because those things are a large part of the author life, but the emphasis here is definitely on mindset, on how you can keep winning the every day battle without burning out.
Like all self help books, your mileage may vary. I find myself quite aligned with Thorn's views on minimalism and mind and body health, so a lot of this resonated with me. But even where views don't align - I am a big goal setter, Thorn is not - there's value in seeing how someone else does something and trying it on for size. If you never step outside of your comfort zone, never consider that there might be a different, better way, then how do you develop as a person and as a creative?
Because it's a collection of essays, it doesn't really contain a coherent narrative thread. Unlike a lot of books in the self development genre, it doesn't seek to make an overall point. But in a sense that is the point, as Thorn himself states in the very first essay - there is no one way to be a writer. You just have to be conscious of your approach to the Author Life and live it consciously, which each of these essays, in different ways, encourages us to do.
A book I will dip in to from time to time as the need for a bit of a mental boost arises.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2020
If this book were available in paperback, I’d print it out and keep it on my shelf next to Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg and Indie Author Mindset by Joanna Penn. It’s a great read if you go from cover to cover but I think the best part about books like this is the ability to turn to it when you’re in the middle of a crisis. You can look at one essay and get the motivation to continue as well as some tips to help you on your way. Whether you’re struggling to write or frustrated with the business side of being a career author, J talks about it in this book. While he provides practical steps to take, he also gives you something that is worth even more. Hope.
Some of J’s advice comes across in a heavy handed way, but he prefaces those with he’s talking to his past self. And we all know how stubborn we were when we were young. And might still be. The hardest part about those for me wasn’t that it was new information, it was that I knew all of this and still haven’t put most of it into practice.
Overall, this book is everything I needed it to be when I picked it up. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve considered quitting. Just walk away from being an author altogether. People--readers and friends and family alike--have kept me on the path. But when I was at my darkest moments--when couldn’t even explain what I was going through to my husband--it was books like this that pulled me out of it. This book helped me through my most recent struggle--one of the darkest I’ve been through. I look forward to reading more by J.
Some of J’s advice comes across in a heavy handed way, but he prefaces those with he’s talking to his past self. And we all know how stubborn we were when we were young. And might still be. The hardest part about those for me wasn’t that it was new information, it was that I knew all of this and still haven’t put most of it into practice.
Overall, this book is everything I needed it to be when I picked it up. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve considered quitting. Just walk away from being an author altogether. People--readers and friends and family alike--have kept me on the path. But when I was at my darkest moments--when couldn’t even explain what I was going through to my husband--it was books like this that pulled me out of it. This book helped me through my most recent struggle--one of the darkest I’ve been through. I look forward to reading more by J.
May 9, 2020
While “The Author Life…” is intended to be helpful a guide for aspiring authors, I believe that anyone can get a great benefit from following these ideas. Thorn’s academic background is in history and philosophy, and those areas have served him well in developing his approach to writing and to life. There is plenty of advice on becoming an author, but most of what’s in here are how to become a better person.
I can honestly say that every essay in this collection has a valuable piece of advice, but two I’d like to point are “Take a moment” and “What’s it about?”, the former to everyone everywhere under all conceivable circumstances, and the later for authors and curious readers and viewers. The first essay points out that the past is gone, the future hasn’t happened yet, so all you have is the now. Live in the present, that’s all there really is. The second essay tells you to think about the theme of a story, beneath the plot itself. What is the author really trying to say about the world that she has created?
You might think that most of the advice here is really common sense, and everyone really knows what it is already. If so, then why aren’t you following it?
Go buy this book. And read it several times. You should probably read it at least twice a year from now on.
Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I can honestly say that every essay in this collection has a valuable piece of advice, but two I’d like to point are “Take a moment” and “What’s it about?”, the former to everyone everywhere under all conceivable circumstances, and the later for authors and curious readers and viewers. The first essay points out that the past is gone, the future hasn’t happened yet, so all you have is the now. Live in the present, that’s all there really is. The second essay tells you to think about the theme of a story, beneath the plot itself. What is the author really trying to say about the world that she has created?
You might think that most of the advice here is really common sense, and everyone really knows what it is already. If so, then why aren’t you following it?
Go buy this book. And read it several times. You should probably read it at least twice a year from now on.
Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2020
A valuable group of essays on writing. I enjoyed this in small bites, as coffee breaks from writing. Most of these books on writing are preaching the same message: discipline, habit, investing in yourself, but I can't seem to get enough. Amusing, for me to find out that Thorn worked at The Pitt News, where I was the Advertising Adviser. Thanks for an entertaining and educational read.
June 18, 2020
this collection of articles and essays encourages authors and shares things that authors go through. I really enjoyed the advice found in this book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews